train tracks

I heard Rick Warren say in an informal gathering one time life is usually not all bad or all good. It’s usually a mix of both. True. He then went on to say in his experience life ran like a train turning on two rails–leaning to one side or the other. Straightaways when everything is in perfect balance does happen, but it’s rare. Most of the time, one side or the other is under pressure. When things are good at home, ministry often leans tough. You go through a season of discouragement, the church goes through a plateau or decline, a key staff member leaves. Conversely, when ministry is good, home life sometimes gets tough. You can feel it pressure the track as someone falls ill, your marriage goes under pressure, money tightens up, or a child rebels.